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ISU Helping Develop Entrepreneurs In Agriculture

Iowa State University business incubator program supports undergrad entrepreneurs in agriculture and life sciences. New program gives aspiring entrepreneurs the education and training to help make their visions become reality.

Feb 28, 2011

Undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University have a unique opportunity to develop their business ideas through the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiatives' Student Incubator.

The new program gives aspiring entrepreneurs the resources to make their visions a reality. It will help students develop a solid business plan for revenue-generating or investment-ready firms by accelerating the process of idea creation, business development and planning. The program provides coaching, mentoring, educational programming, access to subject matter experts and investors and other resources necessary for early-stage venture development.

Program assists students interested in business development

"The idea of the Student Incubator is to assist our student entrepreneurs in the earliest stages of business development," says Kevin Kimle, director of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative. "This is an opportunity to leverage the unique environment of Iowa State University such that students can create and communicate more complete business plans, launch their ventures sooner and realize a higher degree of success over the long term."

Two students have been selected for the 2011 Student Incubator program: Abby Gooder, a junior in agricultural business and horticulture from Cresco, and Michael Koenig, a senior in agricultural education from Pleasantville. Both students plan to complete their business plans during the spring semester.

"I first developed the concept for my business in Economics 334 Entrepreneurship in Agriculture last semester." says Koenig. "I am really excited to continue to develop the business with all the support I have received."

The initiative is accepting new students in the program. Those interested should contact Kimle at 515-294-1803 or [email protected].